Upgrade to Balcony or not?

[richfret]

Keep in mind that there are a lot of cabins on Deck 6 of the Conquest Class ships that are highly undesirable due to various venues below them such as the disco, piano bar, casino (where the band plays late into the night) etc. So in all actuality, the price you would be looking at to move up to deck 7 where it's safe with cabins above and below would likely be higher. I think you totally made the right decision.

 

For the fun of it, I did check the Deck 7 pricing. Found out that Deck 7 was sold out and as you wrote, Deck 6 can be noisy so many select Deck 7 which is quieter. Deck 8 was $770 more or $96 more per day for an 8 day cruise.

[firemanbobswife]

For the fun of it, I did check the Deck 7 pricing. Found out that Deck 7 was sold out and as you wrote, Deck 6 can be noisy so many select Deck 7 which is quieter. Deck 8 was $770 more or $96 more per day for an 8 day cruise.

 

 

Deck 8 is also a tricky one as if you are midship or aft, the Lido deck is right above you which means you get scraping chairs in the wee hours of the morning and also late at night when they clean the decks. Then there's also the buffet which if you're under a tiled area you will hear carts rolling above.

 

It's easy to think that a balcony is an "upgrade" when in fact, I would be a million times happier in an OV or inside that is placed in a quiet area vs an ill located balcony. Same is true for like category upgrades. It is always so important to not just look at the cabin, but the real estate above, below, and next to.

[asalligo]

I have to book a balcony. The first thing I do every morning is sit out there and start my day. Once you get used to that, there is no going back.

[asalligo]

We switched from a Deluxe Ocean View to a Cove Balcony for our last cruise, because it was actually $200 less at one point!

 

However, we didn't really enjoy the cove balcony as much as I thought we would. It was nice to pay less, but I wouldn't bother again if I had to pay more for it.

 

Of course, everyone is different.

 

Oh, I love the cove balconies because I am sun phobic. Give me a nice shady enclosed view any day.

[Psychobueller]

We felt that the balcony made our room more of a destination in itself. It makes it easy to get away from the crowds and still enjoy the view and sea air. For me the access to the sea is part of the attraction of cruising. I'd say go for it if your cruise is 5 or more nights.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

I have to book a balcony. The first thing I do every morning is sit out there and start my day. Once you get used to that, there is no going back.

 

 

I used to think that too. I swore up and down I would never cruise in anything but a balcony and wouldn't even consider it the Glory came to Norfolk and the prices were very high. I reluctantly booked an OV so that I could go. Loved it. Then eventually I moved to an inside. I prefer either one of them over a balcony on Carnival. Those slamming doors are awful. I decided that I would rather cruise more often in a less expensive cabin. I also never thought I could stay in an inside being I am extremely claustrophobic. Once I spent some time in my son's cabin, I saw that it was just fine. I don't feel closed in at all and not panicked in the least.

 

But everyone is different. That's why you can't make a blanket statement like "Once you have a balcony you can never go back." Because people can and do all the time just like me. It is safe to say "Once I experienced a balcony, I can't see my self going back" though.

[Port of Tampa]

Warning!!! Balconies are addicting. We did inside cabins on cruise number 1 and decided to try the balcony for cruise number 2...it has been balconies ever since. Do it and see how you like it is a whole different cruising experience.

 

Cheers and happy cruising.

[BNBR]

How good is Carnival's room service breakfast? We had every intention of ordering room service on Royal and eating on the balcony, but the breakfast was so horrendous, we threw it away and went out for breakfast anyways.

[skywalkr2]

I upgraded to a balcony last time because the upgrade fairy called. It was worth it for that price, but I will never pay full price for it. The inside cabin gets me on board and it's good for that.

[firemanbobswife]

How good is Carnival's room service breakfast? We had every intention of ordering room service on Royal and eating on the balcony, but the breakfast was so horrendous, we threw it away and went out for breakfast anyways.

 

 

It's only Continental Breakfast. Nothing to get excited about.

[Tigeress297]

We have done OV rooms (Inside across the hall for the kids when they cruised with us) for all of our cruises so far, but are booked on a balcony in 3 weeks. I hope we don't get hooked on the balcony. I did it since my hubby wanted to try but on most cruises they are sooo much more then OV, that is money I would have had to buy other things like umbrella drinks!!!

 

I think I'd rather be able to take 2 cruises a year in OV then 1 in a balcony! But I really don't think I could do an inside for myself, worried since it would always be dark I'd sleep too much!

[Athankfulheart]

We have done every type of cabin from insides to suites. I disagree with the " once you go balcony you never go back". We go back and forth depending on the itinerary, whether we have kids with us or not, and costs. In general I say that for us we need 1) No kids 2) 3 sea days 3) $3-350 maximum price difference to move from inside to balcony. When we have kids or fewer sea days we are more likely to go with an inside and save the money for something else.... like another cruise. We upgraded to a suite on a San Juan to San Juan itinerary a couple of years ago because it costs us $75. I could never have paid more for that one since we had hardly any time in our cabin.

 

We are booked for February on Freedom in a lido deck inside. It's the perfect location for the things that we like to do, but we know we won't get to use our hammock and with 3 sea days it is tempting. The balcony adds $480 currently so we aren't going to do it (yet). We did decide that this would be our "serenity deck" sailing. We never spend daytime on serenity but since my hubby is an early riser, we plan to send him up to keep a clamshell warm for us =) Will keep hawking the fare viewer though ;)

[coevan]

It's only Continental Breakfast. Nothing to get excited about.

 

 

It's not a full breakfast, but it's a great starter. We order 2 pots of coffee, juice, fresh fruit, and danish, lovely way to start the day on the balcony.

[crzndeb]

I used to think that too. I swore up and down I would never cruise in anything but a balcony and wouldn't even consider it the Glory came to Norfolk and the prices were very high. I reluctantly booked an OV so that I could go. Loved it. Then eventually I moved to an inside. I prefer either one of them over a balcony on Carnival. Those slamming doors are awful. I decided that I would rather cruise more often in a less expensive cabin. I also never thought I could stay in an inside being I am extremely claustrophobic. Once I spent some time in my son's cabin, I saw that it was just fine. I don't feel closed in at all and not panicked in the least.

 

But everyone is different. That's why you can't make a blanket statement like "Once you have a balcony you can never go back." Because people can and do all the time just like me. It is safe to say "Once I experienced a balcony, I can't see my self going back" though.

 

I so agree with the slamming doors. After splurging and getting a balcony for 23 days, both sides didn't know how to hold the door until it closed. I realize that some aren't affected by this, but some are very sensitive. I even hold my cabin door while it closes.

I won't get a balcony again unless it is a slider.

 

I'd say if OP can afford it and isn't bothered by the balcony doors, go for it. It really is your own decision to make. Everybody has their own reasons why they like them or not.

 

I travel solo so tend to get an inside, but I do my research. On my upcoming I have a 4J, which is classified inside, but has a window. On the Triumph last year, I had a 1A and it had 2 large picture windows and a couch.

[elcuchio24]

We are in an inside cabin for our upcoming cruise with the intention that we'd get out more but then again, I know us...lol. I've never done a balcony but the more I thought about it, the more I thought we'd definitely use it.

 

I know we'd enjoy ordering room service for breakfast and sitting out to eat and drink coffee. We'll have to get up early for the excursions but when we can help it, we enjoy sleeping in.

 

When I did a mock cruise, it would be about $180 per person. I've already paid for our upcoming cruise, so I don't know if we'd be losing any money if we upgraded.

 

Also, I've already ordered enough booze to last us for the cruise which is to be delivered to our cabin. It would just be a matter of ordering room service when we didn't feel like going out to eat at times.

 

So would the extra $360 we'd have to spend, be worth it to upgrade if we could?

 

If you want it and you can afford it, go for it!

 

We always cruise with a balcony. Did a B2B one time with an inside....its just not for us. If it is telling for you: I would rather cruse twice a year with a balcony than three times a year inside....whatever you decide have a blast.

[elcuchio24]

I so agree with the slamming doors. After splurging and getting a balcony for 23 days, both sides didn't know how to hold the door until it closed. I realize that some aren't affected by this, but some are very sensitive. I even hold my cabin door while it closes.

I won't get a balcony again unless it is a slider.

 

I'd say if OP can afford it and isn't bothered by the balcony doors, go for it. It really is your own decision to make. Everybody has their own reasons why they like them or not.

 

I travel solo so tend to get an inside, but I do my research. On my upcoming I have a 4J, which is classified inside, but has a window. On the Triumph last year, I had a 1A and it had 2 large picture windows and a couch.

 

When we are in the room we usually keep the door bungee'd open. Helps alot with the slamming.

[terri-eddie]

Do you mind my asking what it was about the cove that was disappointing? I was thinking of booking one in the future but would like to hear your thoughts.

 

 

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The proximity to the water was great, and being able to watch all the activity in ports was also great. But....we found that every surface was always coated in a sticky salt film. Floors, railings, chairs. If we wanted to use the balcony we had to wipe everything down first, or end up with sticky hands, sticky clothes, sticky shoes. I think if I got a balcony again, it would be higher up.

 

I know the cabin stewards cleaned out there.....I saw them several times. It just wasn't enough to keep up with the salt spray.

 

Maybe I'm just too fussy!

[easyboy]

We are in an inside cabin for our upcoming cruise with the intention that we'd get out more but then again, I know us...lol. I've never done a balcony but the more I thought about it, the more I thought we'd definitely use it.

If you can spare more $$$s, go for the balcony and write it off your bucket list.

[bumorgan]

The natural light from the balcony is a huge plus also besides sitting out there.:)

 

 

Dan

[CJHAN]

Upgrading i dont think causes any type of penalties. But as the saying go once you go Balc you never go back. Be ready to be a balcony snob.

[asalligo]

Is smoked salmon no longer available with room service breakfast?

 

Well there goes my need for a balcony. If I have to get up and go to breakfast, I might as well be in an interior room. I guess I can go get breakfast and bring it back to my balcony.

Edited August 25, 2016 by asalligo

[ShakyBeef]

Is smoked salmon no longer available with room service breakfast?

 

Well there goes my need for a balcony. If I have to get up and go to breakfast, I might as well be in an interior room. I guess I can go get breakfast and bring it back to my balcony.

 

Yes, smoked salmon was removed from the room service menu awhile back (2 years, maybe?).

 

ETA: I have heard of people having mixed success with writing it in on the menu. You could try that.

Edited August 25, 2016 by ShakyBeef

[coevan]

We got Salmon for room service anytime we asked

[Mr & Mrs Happy]

You all sure made it hard to decide. We're going to stick with the Inside cabin. We are really hoping to be out and about (more) on this cruise and we're doing excursions this time. On our last one, all I wanted to do was sleep (which I did a lot of) and was in pain. Well I finally found out why I was so tired. I have Hypothyroidism (on medication which has helped tremendously) and to alleviate my pain (after years of suffering) I had a hysterectomy last year. Hope that wasn't too personal...:)

 

Annnywho, this will be our first cruise where we celebrate a holiday. Halloween!! and so we'd like to buy some costumes but man they can be expensive. I've narrowed my choices down but my question is, would the one I choose be "appropriate" to wear on the cruise?

 

 

 

I am looking into booking a cruise for our anniversary next year in May and will be looking into doing a balcony that go round.

Edited August 29, 2016 by Mr & Mrs Happy

[Rinderoo]

For a short cruise, you probably will only be in the room to sleep. For a 6 or 7 night cruise you will enjoy the balcony. If you don't cruise often, then the splurge is worth it.

 

When hubby goes with me on a trip we always get a balcony. When I sail Disney, I usually do oceanview as a tradeoff on cost. I've done Princess inside with two rooms, but on the Lido Deck so it was a very short walk to fresh air. I always consider the ship and itinerary when selecting staterooms. Personally the pricing on Carnival is pretty good most of the time, and we don't drink much, so we do balconies.

 

When you do this, just get an unobstructed balcony or you will be disappointed. In my opinion, $360 is 'worth it' for the sea outside.